YoungHeroes

What YoungHeroes does

Young Heroes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2006 that delivers integrated social services to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), a country with the world's highest HIV/AIDS prevalence. Its programs are organized across nine core pillars — Orphan Sponsorship, Healthcare, Sivivane Camp, RISE Project, STEP (vocational training), Litsemba (food security at 90+ Neighborhood Care Points), Tisite self-help groups, Disability Inclusion, and Her Voice (GBV prevention) — supplemented by time-bound initiatives including The Halt Project, Insika Ya Kusasa, Youth4Change/YOMA, and WORTH financial literacy. Service delivery is conducted through direct field operations in Eswatini and a US-based fundraising and grants entity (Young Heroes Foundation, EIN 20-3905458).

The underlying operating model combines community-embedded infrastructure (Neighborhood Care Points, WORTH savings groups, mobile clinics, partner schools), a tiered donor pricing menu (e.g., $29.95/month sponsorship, $200/year healthcare, $400 STEP sponsorship), and institutional grant-funded programs administered in partnership with PEPFAR, USAID (via Pact), UNICEF, UN Global Fund (via CANGO), BMZ, and KNH Germany. Revenue derives from individual donations (online, mail, employer matching, charity gift cards, AmazonSmile, Swazi Cycle adventure events), corporate philanthropy (MTN Foundation, FNB Eswatini Foundation, SEL, Taiwan ICDF), and major institutional grants. Direct beneficiaries include 39,800 OVC receiving services, 44,100 in HIV prevention education, and 6,000 in HIV treatment adherence support.

The organization is led by Jacquelyn Eisenberg-Nelson (MSW, Executive Director of the US foundation since April 2020) and Khulekani Magongo (Executive Director in Eswatini), with founder Steve Kallaugher transitioning out in 2020. The headcount is 11-50 across both entities, and operations remain concentrated in Eswatini despite international donor diversification across the US, Germany, Switzerland, Taiwan, and South Africa.

Name

YoungHeroes

Legal name

Young Heroes Foundation

Website

https://youngheroes.org.sz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Young Heroes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2006 that delivers integrated health, education, and social-protection programs to orphans and vulnerable children in Eswatini, serving 39,800 OVC and 44,100 youth in HIV prevention, funded by donations and institutional grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Services for Children

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110), Educational Support Services (6117), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK), NGO/Nonprofit Education Programs & Service Delivery (EDADALAC), Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM)

Keywords

• Orphan care services
• HIV prevention programs
• Vocational training programs
• Food security programs
• Community development initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Mbabane

HQ country

Eswatini

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorship: Young Heroes operates as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that relies on charitable donations, sponsorships, and grants to fund its programs for orphans and vulnerable children in Eswatini.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Young Heroes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that delivers a portfolio of humanitarian programs for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Eswatini. Core offerings include monthly life-support grants (Orphan Sponsorship), HIV treatment and adherence support, residential camps for HIV-positive children (Sivivane Camp), vocational training (STEP), food security through Neighborhood Care Points (Litsemba), financial literacy for caregivers (WORTH), disability inclusion, gender-based violence prevention (Her Voice), and HIV prevention education for youth aged 15-24.

Product overview

Young Heroes is a nonprofit organization operating as a multi-program social services platform rather than a single software product. The organization provides a coordinated portfolio of humanitarian programs for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Eswatini, including Orphan Sponsorship (monthly life-support grants), Healthcare Program (clinic transport, monitoring, Teen Clubs), Sivivane Camp (residential program for HIV+ children), RISE Project, Skills Training Empowerment Program (STEP), Litsemba (food security/NCPs), Tisite Self-Help Groups, Disability Inclusion, and Her Voice (GBV prevention). Additional initiatives include The Halt Project, Insika Ya Kusasa, Youth4Change/YOMA, WORTH, and Phila Unotse for youth development and HIV prevention. Fundraising activities include Swazi Cycle adventures. Programs are delivered through partnerships with UNICEF, PEPFAR/USAID, BMZ/KNH Germany, and local government ministries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Orphan Sponsorship: Monthly life-support grants and comprehensive support for orphan families
• Sivivane Camp
• RISE Project
• STEP (Skills Training Empowerment Program)
• Litsemba
• Tisite: Self-Help Groups
• Disability Inclusion
• Her Voice
• WORTH
• Youth4Change (Y4C)
• Insika Ya Kusasa

Products and services

• Orphan Sponsorship Monthly life-support grants providing orphans with food, clothing, and basic necessities. Sponsors contribute $29.95/month ($359.40/year) to support orphan families. Currently reaching 39,800 orphans receiving OVC services.
• Healthcare Program Comprehensive healthcare services including monthly clinic transport, home-based monitoring, and Teen Club support groups for youth with HIV. Donation of $200 covers a full year of healthcare access for one child. Currently supports 6,000 children and adolescents receiving HIV treatment and adherence support.
• Sivivane Camp Residential camp program for HIV-positive children to meet peers facing similar challenges, learn healthy living practices, and enjoy recreational activities. Donation of $100 sends one child to camp.
• Skills Training Empowerment Program (STEP) Vocational training and business management program for young-adult orphans aged 19-26. Sponsorship of $400 covers a year-long course at industrial training centers (Manzini, Siteki, or Nhlangano). Has certified 300+ orphans in vocational fields.
• Litsemba Food security and nutrition program supporting 90 Neighborhood Care Points (NCPs) in Shiselweni region, providing daily meals and caring adult presence for over 3,100 children.
• RISE Project Project focused on lifting orphans and vulnerable children out of poverty and vulnerability through comprehensive support services.
• Tisite Self-Help Groups Savings and self-help group model empowering caregivers and communities to build financial resilience and support orphans and vulnerable children.
• Disability Inclusion Project creating inclusive communities for children with disabilities, ensuring equal access to education, healthcare, protection, and social inclusion. Funded by BMZ and KNH Germany through December 2028.
• Her Voice Program addressing gender-based violence and empowering adolescent girls and young women through economic strengthening and protection services.
• The Halt Project Three-year initiative targeting youth aged 15-24 to halt HIV spread. Covers seven tinkhundla and five tertiary institutions with health days, Stepping Stones curriculum, HIV treatment, and entrepreneurship training for young women.
• Insika Ya Kusasa Program targeting youth aged 15-24 to prevent new HIV infections and reduce vulnerability among orphans and vulnerable children in four Hhohho communities. Includes WORTH groups for female caretakers teaching financial literacy and micro-entrepreneurship.
• Youth4Change (Y4C) Project Partnership with UNICEF Eswatini and Eswatini National Youth Council introducing the Youth Agency Marketplace (YOMA) platform connecting young people to learning, skills development, volunteering, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities across five regional countries.
• WORTH Program Financial literacy and micro-entrepreneurship program for female caretakers of orphans, teaching business skills and livelihood development through group savings and income-generating activities. Expanded to reach 400 women in Lubombo region.
• Phila Unotse Project Project providing educational support including school shoes, uniforms, and school fees for orphans and vulnerable children, implemented in Hhohho region with USAID support. Has supported 985 OVC with school shoes and 162 OVC with school fees.

Quantifiable outcome

• 39,800 orphans receiving OVC services
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Imbita Women's Finance TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Co-implementer of Disability Inclusion project with funding from BMZ and KNH Germany, running through December 2028. Project aims to create inclusive communities for children with disabilities in Eswatini.
• UNICEF EswatinicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Supported the launch of Youth4Change (Y4C) Project and Youth Agency Marketplace (YOMA) in Eswatini. YOMA connects young people to opportunities in learning, skills development, volunteering, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and employment across five regional countries.
• Eswatini National Youth Council (ENYC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Signed Memorandum of Understanding at Emafini Country Lodge in Mbabane establishing strategic partnership focused on expanding opportunity, health, and economic empowerment for young people across the country.
• Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (Legal Aid Eswatini)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Partnership formalized through MoU with Principal Secretary Lindiwe Mbingo, focusing on gender-based violence cases and creating a beacon of hope for survivors.
• Pact SwazilandmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerImplementing partner administering Umliba Loya Embili program enabling donations of school shoes, uniforms, and school fees for orphaned and vulnerable children.
• CANGO (Coordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organisations)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChanneling UN Global Fund grants to The Halt Project and Insika Ya Kusasa programs targeting HIV prevention among youth.
• Rotary Club MbabaneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported donation of chicken broilers to twelve Neighborhood Care Points in Shiselweni region benefiting over 130 orphan caregivers.
• Rotary Club Bathavon, EnglandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership donating chicken broilers and supplies to Shiselweni region NCPs to help orphan caregivers kick-start businesses.
• Double the DonationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMatching gift service that helps donors find and double their donations through employer matching programs. Opened service free for approximately two weeks during Giving Tuesday.
• Charity ChoiceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCharity gift card provider allowing recipients to donate to Young Heroes Foundation. Cards are 100% tax deductible.
• Charity on TopminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCharity gift card provider offering Young Heroes Foundation as a donation option. 100% tax deductible charitable giving.
• AmazonSmileminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmazon program that donates a portion of eligible purchases to Young Heroes Foundation at no cost to the shopper.
• Charles SchwabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYoung Heroes Foundation's account at Charles Schwab facilitates charitable stock donations for donor tax planning purposes.
• Imbita Women's Finance TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommitted to collaborative, coordinated, and accountable partnership guaranteeing inclusion, equity, and dignity for persons with disabilities in Eswatini.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SOS Children's Villages: Global nonprofit supporting orphaned and abandoned children through family-based care, education, and healthcare — closely comparable to Young Heroes' orphan sponsorship and wraparound support model.
• Bantwana Initiative (World Education): Specializes in OVC care and support, HIV prevention and treatment, and child protection across sub-Saharan Africa through PEPFAR/USAID-funded programs — directly comparable to Young Heroes' US-government-funded OVC portfolio.
• Pact: International development NGO and current Young Heroes implementing partner for PEPFAR/USAID-funded OVC programs. Operates similar OVC, HIV, and youth development programs using local partner models in southern Africa.
• mothers2mothers: African-based nonprofit employing women living with HIV as frontline health workers to eliminate pediatric HIV and improve maternal and child health — comparable in HIV-focused OVC and AGYW service delivery.
• Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation: Global nonprofit focused on HIV-positive children and their families, including pediatric HIV treatment, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and OVC support — closely aligned with Young Heroes' HIV and Sivivane Camp programs.

Broad incumbents

• World Vision: Large global humanitarian organization operating child sponsorship, OVC, and HIV programs across sub-Saharan Africa, including in Eswatini. Broader portfolio but overlapping beneficiary base and donor model.
• PEPFAR (US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief): US government funding mechanism that directly channels HIV treatment, prevention, and OVC programs — overlapping in mission and beneficiary population, though operating as a donor rather than direct implementer.
• Save the Children: Global children's rights nonprofit running OVC, education, health, and child protection programs in southern Africa. Comparable mission scope and donor-funded service-delivery model at much larger scale.
• UNICEF Eswatini: UN agency delivering child health, education, HIV, and protection programs in Eswatini — overlapping service areas and current strategic partner for Young Heroes' Y4C/YOMA launch.

Regional players

• CANGO (Coordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organisations): Eswatini-based coordinating body of NGOs that channels UN Global Fund grants to HIV-focused CSOs including Young Heroes. Comparable in HIV/OVC mission and Eswatini geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/YoungHeroes_SD
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZ5pYEyPrQma4gWVfG2VokA
• Facebookfacebook.com/YoungheroesSD
• Instagraminstagram.com/youngheroessd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/youngheroes

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about YoungHeroes